“I’ve heard from countless Wisconsinites who can’t afford the rising costs of the prescription medication they need. They want Washington to act and this bipartisan reform will take on the unfair practices of some brand-name pharmaceutical companies that drive up prescription drug costs,” said Senator Baldwin. “Lower-cost generic drugs shouldn’t be blocked from the marketplace by big drug companies. This bipartisan legislation will make more affordable prescription drug options available to consumers who should be able to get the medications they need at a price they can afford.”

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill would result in a $3.9 billion net decrease in the federal deficit. Savings to consumers and private insurers likely would be far greater – many billions of dollars more.

The legislation, a version of which was introduced in the House earlier this year, is strongly supported by a coalition of groups including the AARP, American College of Physicians, FreedomWorks, Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs and many more. The full list of supporters is available here.